Blu ray

Samsung has announced the launch of a new external slim Blu-ray drive that is for the computer market. The new slim drive is called the SE-406A and it supports 3D playback. The drive might be just the thing to add 3D Blu-ray capability to a notebook or netbook that lacks an optical drive.

VUDU's streaming movie service can now be found on Sony's latest Blu-ray players, with a choice of 1080p 2D and 3D pay-per-view titles available. Promising 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound and, in many cases, availability on the same day as DVDs go on sale, the VUDU movies can be watched in 3D on Sony's 3D-enabled hardware.

It's not just LCDs and plasmas on Panasonic's mind today; the company also wants your home entertainment to sound better. Hitting the market in April is the Panasonic SC-HTB520, a slim-bar audio system with wireless subwoofer, and the Panasonic SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 Blu-ray 3D home theater systems.

We reported before that LG filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking to ban Sony's PlayStation 3 game consoles from entering the U.S. due to alleged patent infringements. At the time we thought actual bans would be unlikely, but it looks like LG has won a preliminary injunction against Sony not in the U.S., but in Europe. LG alleges that Sony has infringed on a number of their Blu-ray technology patents. The ruling made by the civil court of justice in Hague means that all new PS3s must be confiscated when they are imported into the UK and the rest of Europe for a minimum of 10 days. Tens of thousands of PS3s have already been seized in by customs officers.

Sony's third VAIO launch of the day is the new VAIO L Series, all-in-one touchscreen desktops packing 24-inch Full HD displays and a new "edge access" system of touch-sensitive shortcuts integrated into the bezel. Packing a choice of Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M graphics and a 1920 x 1080 multitouch display, the L Series also hides a Blu-ray drive and both HDMI input and outputs.

VUDU has announced that the new 2.0 interface is going out today to most VUDU-enabled HDTVs and Blu-Ray players, as well as PS3 and Boxee Box users. The updated interface speeds access to movies as well as introducing recommendations based on viewing history; in an imminent update, PS3 users will also be able to navigate the UI via their Move controller.

Opera has announced that its browser will be making an appearance on future Sony BRAVIA HDTVs and Blu-ray players, allowing the network-connected hardware to browse the full internet. The partnership will also mean that future Sony kit will support emerging online standards, including HTML5, HbbTV and OIPF.

I’ll be the first to admit that when Blu-ray first launched, I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure if the new technology was a worthwhile investment for someone like me. Sure, it delivered more storage and higher-quality video and audio, but I simply saw it as another way to take my hard-earned cash for little benefit over DVD.

Orb's attempt to undercut streaming media rivals like Sonos has resulted in the low-cost and high-functionality Orb Music MP-1 and its video-capable counterpart, and now the company is looking to Blu-ray players and the PS3 for the next attack. Orb BR is a $19.99 disc that turns a network-connected player into an Orb media source, controlled by one of the company's free iOS or Android remote apps and the Orb Caster PC/Mac software.